The UK has sweltered through its hottest June day on record, with temperatures hitting 36C in Wisley, Surrey, surpassing the previous record of 35.6C set in 1976. The Met Office warns that even hotter weather is on the way, with Birmingham potentially reaching 39C on Thursday.
Record-Breaking Heat and Health Warnings
Professor Stephen Belcher, the Met Office's chief scientist, described the temperatures as "sobering". He said: "Human induced climate change has made events like this more likely and more intense. To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply."
Extreme Heat Alert in Place
An extreme heat alert has been issued for today and Thursday, lowering to amber on Friday. The Met Office's amber warning states: "Hot and humid weather is expected to continue, with exceptionally warm temperatures both day and night. Very hot weather will continue to affect much of England. Temperatures by day are widely expected to exceed 30 Celsius, with the hottest areas potentially peaking around 38 Celsius in eastern and central England."
Overnight temperatures are unlikely to fall much lower than the high teens Celsius, and some places will not drop below the low 20s. High humidity will accompany the heat.
Forecast for the Weekend and Beyond
Conditions are expected to slowly cool from Friday, with temperatures still reaching 34C. The Met Office outlook for Friday to Sunday states: "Another hot day on Friday, with temperatures slowly coming down through the weekend. Lots of dry and sunny weather, but a risk of some thunderstorms at times."
Moving into next week, the forecast suggests: "Fairly changeable conditions at first with periods of rain and showers, and there could be some thundery outbreaks at times. The best of the drier and brighter weather initially will be across the southeast. Then perhaps a drier start to July for many, although the northwest may still see some rain at times, and perhaps accompanied by some strong winds."
Temperatures remain widely above average, with a chance of very warm or hot weather returning, mainly across the south.
